Mount Union To Battle Trinity In Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl

Mount Union College, the six-time Division III National Champion ('93, '96, '97, '98, '00, '01) will play Trinity University (TX) in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the NCAA Division III Football Championship in Salem, VA, on Saturday, December 21. Kick off from Salem Stadium is set for noon (EST).

Trinity (14-0) advanced to the finals with playoff victories over Mary Hardin-Baylor (48-38), Washington and Jefferson (45-10), Bridgewater (38-32) and St. John's (41-34).

The Tigers, winners of 10 consecutive Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Championships ('93-'02), are making their first ever Stagg Bowl appearance and sixth straight post-season trip. The 14 wins in 2002 is a single-season school best.

Offensively, the Tigers are led by senior/quarterback Roy Hampton (260-of-397/.655/4,095 yds/43 TDs/6 INTs), the SCAC Player of the Year and Division III's top rated passer. Other key performers include senior/running back Jeremy Boyce (214 att/1,407 yds/6.6 ypc/15 total TDs), senior wide receivers Jason Hunt (93 rec/14.1 ypr/8 TDs) and Jerheme Urban (72 rec/17.4 ypr/17 TDs).

Defensively, Trinity is paced by senior/linebacker Jason Leshikar (140 hits/7.5 tfl), junior/linebacker Jason Terrell (88 hits/7.5 tfl/3 sacks), senior/defensive lineman David Southerland (86 hits/12.5 tfl/4 sacks) and junior/defensive back Kenny Brunette (72 hits/7 ints/13 pbu).

Mount Union (13-0), riding the nation's longest current collegiate winning streak (41) and winner of 95 of the last 96 games played, advanced to their third consecutive Stagg Bowl with wins over Wheaton (42-21), Wabash (45-16) and John Carroll (57-19). The Raiders are making their sixth Stagg Bowl appearance in the last seven years.

Offensively, the Purple Raiders are paced by Gagliardi nominee, senior/running back Dan Pugh (335 att/2,050 yds/6.1 ypc/37 total TDs), the nation's scoring leader, senior/quarterback Rob Adamson (127-of-208/.611/2,202 yds/27 TDs/9 INTs), junior/wide receiver Randell Knapp (52 rec/18.4 ypr/10 TDs) and senior/tight end Josh Liddell (37 rec/14.3 ypr/5 TDs).

Defensively, Mount Union is led by senior/All-American end Matt Campbell (97 hits/23 tfl/12 sacks), senior/linebacker Stan Watson (86 hits/7 tfl), senior/middle linebacker Josh Church 75 hits) and senior/All-American cornerback Chris Kern (48 hits/4 INTs/10 pbu).

Trinity enters the contest averaging 47.0 points per game while allowing 17.6 points per contest. The Tigers average 540.2 yards per game while allowing 321.8 yards per contest. Trinity has a +24 turnover ratio, have 28 sacks and have allowed 8 sacks on the year.

Mount Union averages 46.6 points per contest while giving up 13.3 points per game. The Raiders average 499.1 yards per game while giving up 240.2 yards per contest. The Purple Raiders have a +3 turnover ratio, have 36 quarterback sacks and have allowed 14 sacks on the year.

The coaching match up features Trinity's Steve Mohr (102-43/13th year), the 2002 South Region Coach of the Year, and Mount Union's Larry Kehres (191-17-3/17th year), the 2002 North Region Coach of the Year.

Among Division III schools, Mount Union and Trinity are #1 and #2 in recent consecutive playoff appearances. The Raiders are making their 11th straight post-season appearance while Trinity is in the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year.

Mount Union and Trinity's lone meeting occurred in the 1998 playoff semi-finals with the Raiders coming away with a 34-29 decision.

The Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl will be aired live on ESPN2 at noon eastern on Saturday, Dec. 21. The game will be broadcast live on WRMU 91.1 FM (Alliance) and WDPN 1310 AM (Alliance).